It's the end of the year 2009 and the 6th Annual Curbed Awards are being handed out.

As is our yearly tradition, it's time to make up a bunch of awards and hand them out to the most deserving and important people, places and things in the real estate, architecture and neighborhood universes of New York City! Yep, it's time for the Sixth Annual Curbed Awards!

Perhaps one day the Curby will take it rightfull place together with other illustrious Awards such as the Oscar, Emmy and Tony......

This was the year Skynet took over the Roosevelt Island tram replacement project, and the world was better for it. This rendering may actually come true, and we're not just saying that because there's a cyborg holding a gun to our head.

What were the odds that Roosevelt Island would find itself on this list twice? About as good as the Dragonfly actually being built. And yet, here Roosevelt Island is for the second time! Gives us hope that this insect will one day spread its wings

What is it about the southern end of Roosevelt Island that inspires the very best from the most noted architects of our age? As if in direct counterpoint to one of our all-time favorite creations, the Roosevelt Island Tower of Death, wacky conceptual architect Vincent Callebaut presents us—nay, gifts us—with Dragonfly, a 128-story vertical farm that appears from the renderings to overshadow just about every other creation that man has yet realized on God's green earth...

Gizmodo had more on the Dragonfly urban vertical farm for Southpoint Park, Roosevelt Island.

A reader sent in this link to a New York Observer artcle reporting that Deborah VanAmerongen, the Commissioner of New York State's Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) has resigned to take a job with the Nixon Peabody law firm. In her capacity as Commissioner of DHCR, Ms VanAmerongen was also the Chairperson of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corportation's Board of Directors (RIOC). According to the NY Observer:

... Ms. VanAmerongen is jumping to the private sector ship, joining a firm that has an active affordable housing group and one that does significant work with Ms. VanAmerongen's agency, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, including deals this year. Of course this public sector-to-private sector shift is not all that uncommon—City Council Land Use Chairwoman Melinda Katz, for instance, is headed to the law firm Greenberg Traurig, which represents developers before the Council. A spokeswoman for the DHCR said Ms. VanAmerongen recused herself from decisions with the potential for conflict of interest.

Steve Wallace, a partner who heads Nixon Peabody's affordable housing group, said Ms. VanAmerongen, who is not an attorney, will be a "strategic policy adviser," offering guidance on affordable housing issues in New York and nationally...

There are currently and will continue to be affordable housing issues for Roosevelt Island particularly in regard to the ongoing privatization efforts at the Mitchell Lama Rivercross, Island House and Westview buildings. Be interesting to see what role, if any, Ms. VanAmerongen and Nixon Peabody have in the future for Roosevelt Island Affordable Housing.

Senator Serrano, the American Redcross in Greater New York, and the NYC Office of Emergency Management will offer this free presentation, designed to prepare individuals and families for emergencies. Attendees will learn how to create a family disaster plan, build and maintain a supply kit, and keep loved ones safe and informed during times of disaster.

Participants will receive a free interactive CD that can be used to create a customized evacuation plan and other tools that will help any family get prepared. For more information please call Ingrid Sotelo at (212) 828-5829

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Frank Farance sent the following message to Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:

Director Guerra-

In my WIRE column of December 12, I mentioned the recent fire in Island House:

"... We heard several complaints afterward about the performance of FDNY afterwards. I spoke with Lt. Philips at Engine 260, our nearest firehouse. The discussion was in the spirit of comparing notes and lessons learned. Overall, there's a little bit of improvement everywhere: FDNY, RIOC, Public Safety, managing agents, and residents themselves. RIRA will be compiling an informative list for an upcoming Town Hall meeting. ..."

You and I had a meeting to discuss some Lessons Learned and you arranged for a later meeting with local FDNY Battalion Chief to continue the cooperative discussion. Since our meeting with FDNY, I've seen the trucks (Engine 260, Ladder 116) on several weekends doing training.

I appreciate your help convening the meeting with FDNY: it was very productive, informative, and cooperative.

I hope you and your family are enjoying the holidays!

And Mr. Guerra replied:

You're welcome Frank. I wish you and your family a Happy New Year and look forward to working productively together in 2010.

Roosevelt Island, NY, December 23, 2009 – U.S. Representative Carolyn B. Maloney this evening joined Executive Director Charles DeFino and staff at the Roosevelt Island Youth Center to help distribute “Toys for Tots” at the Center. Every year, Congresswoman Maloney helps the United States Marine Corps (USMC) distribute thousands of Toys for Tots to children at youth centers and in public housing developments in New York’s 14th Congressional District. This year, the USMC named the Congresswoman’s late husband Clifton Maloney an Honorary Vice Chairman of the Toys for Tots program in New York City.

“For decades, Toys for Tots has given gifts to children who might otherwise go without during the holiday season,” Maloney said. “This program is one of the Marine Corps’ most cherished missions and another example of the many ways our men and women in uniform serve our nation day in and day out.”

“I am touched that Toys for Tots is making my husband an Honorary Vice Chairman,” Maloney said. “Clif was a Navy veteran and I know that he would be honored that fellow members of the military are recognizing his service.”

"2009 USMC Toys for Tots Honorary Vice Chair and Navy veteran Clif Maloney lived life to its fullest. I know that his wife, the Honorable Carolyn Maloney, and their two beautiful daughters will continue to serve their community and the underprivileged children of New York,” said Major Chuck Kilbride of the USMC. “We at Toys for Tots are privileged to donate these new toys to the kids of Roosevelt Island as a symbol of hope on behalf of all the members of the Marine Corps. God bless America."

The USMC’s “Toys for Tots” programs collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in communities throughout the United States. Every year, Maloney and her staff help the USMC distribute toys to underprivileged children throughout New York’s 14th Congressional District, which includes Roosevelt Island and most of Manhattan’s East Side and western Queens.

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WELCOME TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!

Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.